Friday, May 15, 2009

whistler...the progress report!

As promised...I'm back to give you my post-Whistler-outing report. We had a wonderful day scouting out Whistler...and so much more. It was still drizzling at our end of the valley when we left home in the morning...but we heard from reliable sources that the sun was shining in Whistler...and they were right.

It was a most glorious three and a half hour drive...and much of it was at 50 kilometers per hour.

Our famous Sea-to-Sky Highway has been under re-construction for years...and it seems they are not quite done! But they have nine more months until the world arrives...and they will be ready.

We stopped at Brandywine Falls enroute...a place I find it hard to drive past. A short five minute walk from the highway......found us at the top of of the most spectacular 70 meter waterfall.

A few miles further down the highway...we arrived at Whistler Village. Many of the ski runs are already closed for the season...but the parking lots were basically full.

We spent the next while scouting out the village...enjoying the ambiance and the food...and a little shopping!

From there we drove out to the 2010 Olympics Athletes Village. There seemed to be much construction going on...and large signs indicated that only authorized personnel were allowed on site. Hmmm...I had hoped to show you a few photos...but couldn't talk my way past the sentries. (Not to worry...I have my sources and will be showing you the athletes accommodations sometime soon!)

The Athletes Village is situated south of Whistler...a neighbourhood which will be called Cheakamus Crossing. It is in a forested area...adjacent to a river...and so we decided to do a little hiking while we were there.

We hiked 4 kilometers along a rushing river...in search of a suspension bridge...and even found snow enroute (my Texas visitors were quite OK with that).

Our last stop before heading back home...was Alice Lake Provincial Park. It was more about using their restroom facilities...than actually visiting the lake...but once we realized we had to pay to park...we thought we should make our stay worthwhile.

I took this photo along the 'swamp lantern trail'...quite a lovely spot.

The wildflowers were in full bloom...looking rather like tiny bleeding hearts.

We bade farewell to the coast mountain highway...missed the rush hour through Vancouver...and thought we were on the home stretch. But it seems that is never to be taken for granted on the highway through our valley...

...and we found ourselves on the wrong side of a car fire about 40 minutes from home. There's nothing like ending the day with fireworks!

It was a fun time...the first visit to Whistler for my sister (Bev) and her two boys from McAllen, Texas.

The question of the day..."Will we be ready to host the world in nine months?" Ready...and waiting!

12 comments:

Thanks for the photo tour, Judy. When I visit Whistler I'll know what to look for! Thanks, also, for the progress report - I'm more likely to believe your first-person report than all the politicos and news casters.

That was a very nice trip, Judy, except for the last bit about the burning car and you even worked that in proving that everything is blog fodder. Everything looks like an Alpine Village up there in Whistler...such a beautiful location for the Olympics!

Judy . .there and back in one day. . speed sightseeing. Your pictures are great, and you really should take a job as a travel guide.Hi .. .to your sister .. and have a great rest of your time together.

Yesterday I was totally ignorant of Whistler and decided to wait to hear.It was a magnificent description and pics are great. My favorite also is the falls. I have a picture of Bridal Veil Falls in Ontario. We took Algoma Central's train to Agawa Canyon Tour north of Sault Ste.Marie,Ont. Absolutely beautiful. The air was invigorating.That was about 2 years ago Thanks for sharing.Peggy

Welcome here...so glad you stopped by.

Let’s have a cup of coffee together and chat for awhile...mostly about family, friends, food, farming, faith and a few of my favorite pastimes...did I mention travelling? Life itself is a journey...may you find some encouragement here as I share bits and pieces along the way.

I hope you enjoy your visit and welcome your thoughts.

Bless the Lord, O my soul;And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Psalm 103:1

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I live with my husband on a dairy farm in the beautiful Fraser Valley of British Columbia. We enjoy having our grown children and our delightful grands living nearby. I usually have a project or two on the go and the coffee's always on!